Offering Mantra

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna

Pamho Agtsp

 

Dear Vaishnava,

I have this in my mind for some time and I would like the devotee in

this list to help me out.

When ever we offer to Lord Krishna we start from our Guru Mantra and

proceed to HDG Srila Prabhupada Pranama, Caitanya Pranama and Krishna

Pranama.But all the mantras we mentioned is explaning that we offering

our obeisance's.Recently I read from one of the Gaudiya Math Spiritual

Master giving an explanation on offering mantra and it goes like this!

Etat naivedyam sa tulasi paniya jalam, klim gauraya svaha.

Kindly explain can we chant the above mentioned mantra after chanting

the above mentioned pranama for Guru,Caitanya and Krishna.

Pls do not get into conclusion that I am trying to little HDG Srila

Prabhupada.I just want to clarify my doubt.

 

Vaushnava Dasan

Raja Murari Dasan

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna

Again quoting from the GBC deity worship book:

 

"In his introduction to the Arcana-Paddhati published by Devananda Gaudiya

Matha, Kesava Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada's godbrother and sannyasa-guru,

explains the two varieties of Deity worship - home deity worship and

temple deity worship. He writes:

'Bhakty-anga-arcana, or worship of the Supreme Lord in the realm of

devotional service, is of two varieties. The worship of salagrama-sila,

govardhana-sila, or other forms of the Lord which is performd by

householders within their homes is one variety, and that found in the

temples of formally installed Deities of the Lord is the second. The first

kind is performed with ingredients according to the means of the

householder, and is therefore reduced or shortened service. The second type

is the worship of the Supreme Lord as a king, in awe and reverence. In such

kingly service, regular worship is necessary......Householders, and those

who have given up their homes but are carrying on simple Deity worship, are

able to offer foodstuffs to the Lord more or less according to the needs of

their own families, of associate Vaisnavas, or of guests who come to them.

But in kingly service of the Deity everything must be regulated.'

 

Srila Prabhupada gave us a very simplified standard for worshipping the

deity at home. In the temple, pujaris are engaged for this service and

therefore the standard is much higher. And the mantra you mentioned and many

more are recited in the temple for the bhoga offering but at home we can

simply recite as Prabhupada taught us too. THERE IS NO NEED TO ADD ANYTHING

MORE.

Srila Prabhupada wrote: "He can worship Gaura-Nitai in his home. The most

important element for their worship is the chanting of the Hare Krishna

mantra. They can have at least one aratrika, and whatever foodstuffs are

prepared can be offered." [15th Feb. 1975]

In another letter he wrote: "So far as taking care of the Deities and your

family simultaneously, you have to do both mutually, but the main importance

is Deity worship..........So both things go together. Yes, at least once

daily the Deities clothes must be changed in the morning....If there is time

and facility then these things can be implemented. So far as bathing is

concerned, it requires two hands and one tongue. In your left hand be

ringing a bell and simultaneously with your right hand pour water. Chant

Hare Krishna, Cintamani, Govinda Jaya Jaya etc., like that." {1st May 1971].

 

I personally feel that my home worship can never be as strict as the temple,

but at least what little I can do should be regulated and also there should

be a standard of cleanliness. I prefer to concentrate on chanting better

and better rounds and engaging in kirtan and also book distribution, serving

devotees. This way we please our spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada and

if they are satisfied then aren't we reaching the goal. I think that if I

wanted to recite all the mantras and all paraphernalia should be as temple

then home life will become frustrating not only for me but the rest of my

family. It is just not possible for me to run a family and be so strict in

worship at home. Do whatever is within your means but do it from your heart.

 

Also, remember that other Gaudiya Maths also have their standards but Srila

Prabhupada out of his compassion simplified some procedures for us e.g.

fasting on Ekadasi and what we are allowed to eat [if we have to eat on

Ekadasi ] etc. I had posted the list on an earlier discussion. So do not get

confused. Stick to it, have faith in it otherwise you will end up being

confused and bewildered.

 

Srila Prabhupada said: "Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy." So obviously

there must be something in it for him to have made this statement. Yet, we

tend to start finding and analysing more and more - rather just spend more

time on the chanting and become happy. Have faith in Srilal Prabhupada's

words.

 

your servant

shashika

 

Ps. I have to be off the computer for the 20 days due to travel, so any

further discussions i can only participate after the 8th of March.